Chapter 2. Safe Haven

"I'm home!" Jack Bristow called as he walked through the front door and put his suitcase down.

"Daddy!" Sydney came running out of the kitchen and barreled into him.

He picked her up and gave her a hug. "Hey, how's my favorite girl?"

"I missed you, Daddy. What did you bring me?"

Jack smiled. He looked up to see Laura coming out of the kitchen at a more decorous pace and winked at her as he set Sydney down. "Just a minute while I get your present out of my bag," he said. Sydney had somehow figured out a year or so ago that she was entitled to a present whenever her father returned from a business trip. Jack of course didn't have time for shopping trips during his CIA missions, so Laura kept a supply of gifts on hand and packed one in Jack's suitcase for every trip. Jack found the brightly wrapped box in his bag; it was a big one this time, since Laura had known the trip would be long. He handed it to Sydney, who ripped off the wrapping.

"A Mr. Potato Head!" she cried with glee. "Thank you Daddy, thank you Mommy." Leaving the torn wrapping paper on the floor, she flew up the stairs to play with her new toy.

Jack turned to Laura. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, finally greeting her properly. When they broke for air, Jack said, "I think she's onto our scam."

Laura said. "Yes, but I don't think she cares." She bent to pick up the wrapping paper. "How was your trip?"

"Horrible," Jack said simply. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you and Sydney to come home to. You're the only part of my life that's normal and sane."

Laura smiled and reached up to pull him into a hug. "I missed you," she said.

"I'm sorry I had to be gone while Sydney was sick. I see she's feeling better."

"It was just a little touch of stomach flu," Laura said, pulling away. "Are you hungry? Dinner will be ready in ten minutes."

"Of course I'm hungry," he said. "Call me when it's ready." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips, then picked up his suitcase and went upstairs to unpack.

Laura stood watching him for a moment, fighting to keep back the tears that were threatening. Once she had herself under control, she went into the kitchen to finish dinner.

Meanwhile, at CIA headquarters:

Mark Dawson, head of the Los Angeles division of the CIA, walked into his office and took a folder from Agent Arvin Sloane without looking at him. The CIA had captured a KGB agent named Igor Valenko right here in L.A. only three days ago, and Dawson had just been called at home with the news that Valenko's interrogation had finally produced results.

Dawson flipped open the folder and skimmed the front page. He saw the name "Bristow" and shut it again. "So our mole is Jack Bristow after all."

"No, sir, not Jack," Sloane said.

Dawson opened the folder and read more closely. He looked up at Sloane, completely shocked. "Laura?"

Thanks for all the reviews! I guess I'll definitely have to continue this story now. Fortunately, it seems to have worked itself out a plot line.

Note: I'm assuming Sloane hasn't gone bad yet. I'm also assuming that he's a CIA agent, although I'm not sure he actually was in the show (I didn't start watching the show until mid-first season, so some of those details are fuzzy).